AU2013203686A1 - A system, device, and method for processing a length of material - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for use in processing a length of material, using a material-working device (4) including a first cutting device (10) having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device (11) having a second cutting capacity, the device including: at least one processor (20) configured to: receive data relating to the length of the length of material and the diameter of the length of material at a plurality of points along its length; set at least one cutting position along the length of the length of material based on at least the length of the length of material; determine the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position using at least the data relating to the diameter of the length of material at the plurality of points along its length; and select either the first cutting device (10) or second cutting device (11) for use in cutting the length of material at the cutting position based at least in part on the cutting capacity of each cutting device and the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position. -------------------- 25

Description

James & Wells Ref: 134129AU A SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING A LENGTH OF MATERIAL STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS This application is based on the Complete specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent 5 Application Number 607685, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a system, device, and method for processing a length of material. In particular this invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing a portion 10 of wood such as a stem, log, or other piece of wood. BACKGROUND ART The modern forestry industry is continually seeking to improve efficiency in processing timber. It is well-known to mount a timber-working device to a carrier vehicle in order to perform a 15 number of operations in connection with timber processing. These operations may include one, or a combination of, grappling and felling a standing tree, delimbing a felled stem, debarking the stem, and cutting the stem into logs. Devices commonly known as harvester heads typically have the capability to perform all of these functions. Many such harvester heads have the ability to measure the diameter and length of a log and 20 automatically determine the optimal position of saw cuts in order to maximise the value of that log. US Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0074563 illustrates a method of producing a log cutting solution based on a model of a delimbed log. The disclosure refers to optimising the cutting based on either prioritising particular lengths, or the total dollar value of the combination 25 of lengths which may be produced from a log. Previously, an operator may have been required to calculate optimal value manually, or manually control the harvester head to perform cutting at points previously measured and marked. Automation of this process would be expected to improve productivity. However, elements of the process still currently require decision making on the part of the operator. 30 In particular, harvester heads commonly include two chainsaws - one at each end of the head. One of these chainsaws is typically designated as the "main" saw, having greater cutting capabilities in terms of stem diameter. The other chainsaw is usually used only for "topping"

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James & Wells Ref: 134129AU the stem - removing the undesirable end of the stem which is below a certain diameter - and as such the "top" saw generally has lower cutting capabilities than the main saw. During typical operation of a harvester head - especially the processing of heavy limbed trees a felled stem will be delimbed by feeding the stem through delimbing knives while logging the 5 length and diameter of the stem. A cutting solution will then be determined based on the measured parameters. Delimbing is generally performed from the largest diameter end of the stem - known as the Large End Diameter (LED) - in order to ensure that the harvester head may maintain a grip on the stem and allow the more valuable part of the stem to be processed. As such, the cutting 10 solution is generally determined after the harvester head has arrived at the Small End Diameter (SED) of the stem. Once a cutting solution has been determined the stem is usually reversed to the end of the stem with the LED, in order than the stem may be driven to the next cutting position, and the main saw used to cut the log. Following this method eliminates the need for the operator to 15 make a decision regarding selection of the appropriate saw to make the first cut - reducing operator fatigue and maintaining operating efficiency. The process is continued to the last log length of the cutting solution, where the top saw is used to make the final cut. This has several problems associated with it. In particular, the method requires the harvester to travel along the length of the stem three times - once for delimbing and measurement of the 20 stem, once to return to the LED, and once to carry out the cutting solution. This adds to the fuel requirements of operating the head, and adds to the processing time - reducing the cost effectiveness of the harvester. Further, it is generally desirable to reduce the number of passes a harvester head needs to make along the stem in order to reduce the damage to the stem by the feed mechanism 25 particularly for softer or ornamental wood where the value may decrease with bruising. In some setups, the operator can choose whether to use the main or top saw to cut the stem at each position to achieve the cutting solution. This requires the operator to assess whether the diameter of the stem at a particular position is greater than the cutting capacity of the top saw, or whether the stem should be driven to the LED in order to process the stem as described 30 above. This step takes time and causes operator stress and fatigue, which may in turn lead to poor decision making with regard to control of the harvester head and lost value to the forest owner. It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

James & Wells Ref: 134129AU All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly 5 understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or 10 group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. 15 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for use in processing a length of material using a material-working device including a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity, the device including: 20 at least one processor configured to: receive data relating to the length of the length of material and the diameter of the length of material at a plurality of points along its length; set at least one cutting position along the length of the length of material based on at least the length of the length of material; 25 determine the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position using at least the data relating to the diameter of the length of material at the plurality of points along its length; and select either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in cutting the length of material at the cutting position based at least in part on the cutting capacity of 30 each cutting device and the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for processing a length of material, including: James & Wells Ref: 134129AU a material-working device, including: a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity; a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity; a drive mechanism configured to drive the length of material relative to the 5 material-working device; at least one distance measuring device; at least one diameter measuring device; and at least one processor configured to: receive data relating to the length of the length of material from the distance 10 measuring device; receive data relating to the diameter of the length of material at a plurality of points along its length from the diameter measuring device; set at least one cutting position along the length of the length of material based on at least the length of the length of material; 15 determine the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position using at least the data relating to the diameter of the length of material at the plurality of points along its length; and select either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in cutting the length of material at the cutting position based at least in part on the cutting capacity of 20 each cutting device and the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for processing a length of material using a material-working device including a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity, including the steps of: 25 receiving data relating to the length of the length of material and the diameter of the length of material at a plurality of points along its length; setting at least one cutting position along the length of the length of material based on at least the data relating to the length of the length of material; determining the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position using at least 30 the data relating to the diameter of the length of material at the plurality of points along its

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James & Wells Ref: 134129AU length; and selecting either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in cutting the length of material at the cutting position based at least in part on the cutting capacity of each cutting device and the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position. 5 Preferably the material-working device is a timber-working device - in particular a harvester head, and may be referred to as such throughout the specification. Harvester heads typically have the capability to grapple and fell a standing tree, delimb and/or debark a felled stem, and cut the stem into logs. However, a person skilled in the art should appreciate that the present invention may be used with other timber-working devices having multiple cutting devices, for 10 example a feller buncher, disc saw head, saw grapple, and so on - and that reference to the timber-working device being a harvester head is not intended to be limiting. Also, reference will herein be made throughout the specification to the length of material as being the stem of a tree. It should be appreciated that while it is envisaged that the present invention may have particular application to the processing of a felled tree stem, this is not 15 intended to be limiting. For example, the present invention may be used in the processing of other wood products - such as wood which has been sawn into boards - although the principles of the present invention could be applied to effectively any material where it is desirable to reduce the processing time in cutting the material into desired lengths. Preferably each cutting device includes at least one saw. In particular it is envisaged that the 20 present invention may have particular application to timber-working devices including chainsaws. However, this is not intended to be limiting as the cutting device may take other forms - for example a disc saw, or shears. Reference to cutting capacity should be understood to refer to the ability of a cutting device to cut the length of material being processed. In the context of a saw - particularly a chainsaw 25 cutting capacity may be influenced by the length or depth a saw is capable of cutting, and/or power rating. Generally, in the context of processing tree stems it is desirable for a log to be cut using a single pass of the cutting device to ensure a clean cut and reduce processing time. As such, the diameter of the material being cut may be the most significant factor in determining whether 30 the cutting capacity of a cutting device is sufficient to carry out a cut at a particular cutting position. Harvester heads may include a main saw which is primarily used for the felling and cross cutting of stems. Further, some harvester heads may include a secondary or topping saw. The topping saw is typically of a lower specification than the main saw, and used primarily during r, James & Wells Ref: 134129AU processing once a tree is felled. The first cutting device and second cutting device may herein be referred to as the main saw and top saw respectively, although it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting. Each chainsaw may include a saw chain, a saw bar around which the saw chain moves, and a 5 saw drive gear for driving the saw chain around the saw bar. Harvester heads typically include a drive mechanism in the form of at least one driven roller for example rollers mounted on grapple arms which grip the stem and control position of the stem relative to the saw or saws. The drive mechanism allows the stem to be moved relative to the harvester head for debarking, delimbing, and sawing. 10 A distance measurement device may be incorporated into or associated with the drive mechanism, or a separate device. An example of a distance measurement device is a rotary encoded measuring wheel, which is rotated as a stem is driven relative to the harvester head. In the prior art, the encoder simply counts up or down depending on the direction in which it is being driven. It is envisaged that in the present invention the count may be based on the 15 direction for processing of a cutting solution. In a preferred embodiment the harvester head may measure other characteristics of the stem. In particular, the harvester head preferably measures diameter of the stem. It is known to measure diameter using deflection of the delimbing knives, or drive arms. Other characteristics such as stiffness or strength may also be measured, for example as 20 described in New Zealand Patent No. 545247 titled "Method and apparatus for assessing or predicting the characteristics of wood". In a preferred embodiment, setting the cutting position includes the processor determining the cutting position along the length of the length of material using at least the data relating to the length of the length of material. 25 However, it is envisaged that in some embodiments the operator may have the option to manually determine the next cutting position based on the length measurement, and provide this as an input to the processor. While it is generally desirable to automate such decision making, it may be advantageous to allow for the possibility of the operator using their experience to pre-empt or overrule automated solutions. 30 In a preferred embodiment a plurality of cutting positions along the length of the length of material are determined. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of cutting positions may be determined as part of a value optimisation process for the stem. It is known in the art for timber processing systems to James & Wells Ref: 134129AU automatically determine the optimal position of saw cuts in order to maximise the value of a particular stem. In addition to length, the value of a log may include factors such as diameter and grade. A value matrix typically uses these measured or observed variables together with market prices to 5 determine the most valuable combination of logs which may be obtained from the stem. Optimisation may also account for targeted length and diameters for a particular stand of trees, which meets the demands of the forest owner while perhaps not producing the highest dollar value combination based on market values. It is envisaged that the cutting positions may be determined such that the end of the stem with 10 the larger diameter is prioritised over the end with the lesser diameter. While this is not intended to be limiting, it is envisaged that in doing so wastage may be reduced. It should be appreciated that determining the diameter of the stem at a cutting position may include approximating the diameter at that position based on measurements made on either side of the cutting position along the length of the stem. It is envisaged that diameter 15 measurements may be made at approximately 100 millimetre intervals along the length of the stem, and that deviation of diameter within these intervals is unlikely to be significant for the purpose of comparison with the cutting capacities of the cutting devices. In some embodiments, the system may select the cutting device having the greater cutting capacity when the predicted diameter is within the cutting capability of the other cutting device, 20 but within a predetermined margin of error. In a preferred embodiment, the processor is configured to determine the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut. Preferably determining the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut is based at least in part on distance the harvester head would be required to travel relative to the length of material - in particular the minimum travel required. 25 In doing so it is envisaged that the time required to process a stem may be reduced, along with fuel consumption and operating stresses on the equipment. Damage to the stem may also be reduced, preserving its value. By automating this process, operator requirements may also be reduced - in turn reducing mental stress and associated fatigue. It should be appreciated that determining the minimum distance may be influenced by other 30 factors. For example, the minimum distance may be determined based on the requirement that the remaining length of the stem remains held by the harvester head - such that the operator does not need to pick up a length of stem which has been cut off in order to finish processing that length. Preferably, the cutting order is determined based in part on the requirement that the stem remain held by the harvester head until the final cutting position has been cut. 7 James & Wells Ref: 134129AU In another embodiment, if any of the cutting positions are beyond the cutting capacity of a cutting device, the other device may be selected to cut the stem at all of the cutting positions. Preferably the processor is configured to control the harvester head to align the selected cutting device with the associated cutting position. 5 When aligned at the cutting positioned, the system may require manual activation of the selected cutting device by the operator. In another embodiment the system may automatically control operation of the cutting device at the cutting position. The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic 10 hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. In particular, they may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor such as a microprocessor, or any other suitable means known in the art designed to perform the functions described. The steps of a method or algorithm and functions described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module 15 executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as processor readable instructions or code on a tangible, non-transitory processor-readable medium - for example Random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), hard disks, a removable disk such as a CD ROM, or any other suitable storage medium known to a person skilled in the art. A storage medium may 20 be connected to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description 25 which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary timber-working system according to one aspect of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of further components of the timber-working system 30 according to one aspect of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for processing a length of material such as a tree stem using the system according to one aspect of the present invention; James & Wells Ref: 134129AU FIG. 4a illustrates a stem to be processed according to one aspect of the present invention, and FIG. 4b illustrates a cutting solution for the stem according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates a timber-working system including a carrier 1 for use in forest harvesting. The carrier 1 includes an operator cab 2 from which an operator (not shown) controls the carrier 1. The carrier 1 further includes an articulated arm 3, to which a timber-working device in the form 10 of a harvester head 4 is connected. Connection of the harvester head 4 to the arm 3 includes a rotator 5, configured to rotate the harvester head about the generally vertical axis of rotation marked by dashed line 6. A tilt bracket 7 further allows rotation of the harvester head 5 between a prone position (as illustrated) and a standing position. The harvester head 4 includes grapple or delimbing arms 8 configured to grasp the stem of a 15 tree (not illustrated), and a pair of feed rollers 9 configured to control the longitudinal position of the tree relative to the head 4. The displacement of the delimbing arms 8 and/or feed rollers 9 may be used to determine the diameter of the stem at that point. Rotation of the feed rollers 9, or a distance measuring wheel (not illustrated), may be used to measure the length of the stem as it is driven relative to the head 4. 20 The harvester head 4 also includes a main chain saw at the end marked by arrow 10, and a top chain saw at the end marked by arrow 11. The main saw 10 has a greater cutting capacity in terms of the diameter of stem it is capable of sawing through than the top saw 11. The various operations of the harvester head 5 may be controlled by the operator using hand and foot controls as known in the art. Further, certain automated functions of the harvester 25 head 5 may be controlled by a processor. FIG. 2 illustrates additional components of timber-working system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. The system 1 includes a processor 20. The processor 20 is configured to control operation of the harvester head 4 in response to data received from the harvester head 4 and in conjunction with operator input devices such as hand and foot controls (not illustrated). Various operations 30 may require communication with memory 21. The processor 20 may also cause information to be displayed to the operator via a display module including a display 22.

James & Wells Ref: 134129AU In particular, the processor 20 may present cutting solutions for a stem to the operator on the display 22. For example, information regarding the current log to be cut from the stem may be presented in the central area 23. The next logs in the sequence may be displayed in a queuing area 24. The currently selected saw may be displayed in an icon 25. 5 It should be appreciated that while the processor 20 is illustrated and described as a single device, it may include a number of individual controllers, modules or processors having designated responsibilities. For ease of illustration, connections between the various components of the system 1 have been illustrated as a network 26. It should be appreciated that the network 26 may be 10 hardwired, wireless, or a combination thereof. Further, some components may not communicate with others. FIG. 3 illustrates a method 300 for processing a length of material such as a tree stem using the system 1 illustrated by FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. At step 301, an end of the stem is found - preferably the Large End Diameter - and the stem is 15 delimbed by the operator feeding the stem through the harvester head 4 using the feed rollers 9. In step 302, while the stem is being fed through, the processor 20 receives signals from the distance measuring wheel or feed rollers 9 indicating the distance travelled. Diameter measurements are also taken at 100 millimetre intervals using deflection of the delimb arms 8 20 and/or feed rollers 9. At step 303 the other end of the stem is identified - whether by the processor determining that a minimum diameter has been reached or on manual designation by the operator. In step 304, the processor 20 uses the measured length and diameters to determine at least one cutting position along the length of the stem such that the value of the resulting logs is 25 optimised. These are displayed to the operator in step 305, who can choose to make changes in step 306 - for example changing the grade of the stem. Those changes may require re-optimisation. If the operator approves the cutting solution, then the processor 20 determines the diameter of the stem at the cutting positions at step 307. 30 At step 308 the processor 20 then determines the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut based on the minimum distance the harvester head will be required to travel relative to the stem while maintaining control of the stem using the feed rollers 9. This includes selecting either the main saw 10 or top saw 11 to make each cut based on the cutting capacity of the saws and the diameter of the stem at each cutting position. 35 At step 309 the stem is driven by the feed rollers 9 to each cutting position, where the I r James & Wells Ref: 134129AU processor awaits activation of the saw by the operator before executing the cut and proceeding to the next cutting position. In another embodiment the processor may cause the saw to be automatically activated at each position unless overridden by the operator. FIG. 4 illustrates a cutting solution for optimising value of a stem and reducing processing time 5 for same. FIG. 4a illustrates a stem 400 having a measured length of 13.1m. Exemplary values of various log lengths are outlined in the following table: Log length (m) Value ($) 4.0 500 4.5 550 5.0 400 5.5 450 6.0 500 6.5 550 7.0 600 12.0 950 For ease of illustration the value of logs are determined based solely on length, without factoring diameter into the equation. 10 Calculated cutting priorities for the stem 500 are as follows: Priority Value ($) Log Composition Total Length (m) 1 1600 2 x 4.5m; 1 x 4.Om 13.0 2 1550 1 x 4.5m; 2 x 4.Om 12.5 3 1500 3 x 4.Om 12.0 In FIG. 4b it may be seen that in addition to logs 401a, 401b and 401c, a waste portion 402 is produced by cutting solution priority 1. Cutting positions 403a, 403b and 403c are also marked. Using standard prior art control techniques, the stem 400 would be driven from a position in which the top saw 11 was substantially aligned with the Small End Diameter (SED) to a position 15 in which the main saw 10 was substantially aligned with the Large End Diameter (LED). The stem would then be driven to align the main saw 10 with cutting position 403a, and log 401a cut. The stem would then be driven to align the main saw 10 with cutting position 403b, and log 401 b cut. The stem would then be driven to align the top saw 11 with cutting position 403c, and log 401c cut.

James & Wells Ref: 134129AU Designating the distance between the main saw 10 and the top saw 11 on the harvester head 4 as X, the total distance travelled (d) may be determined by: d = (13.1m - X) + 4.5m + 4.5m + (4.0m - X) = 26.1m - 2X. Using the control method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter 5 (D) of the stem at cutting positions 403a, 403b and 403c is compared with the cutting capacity of the top saw 11 (CCT). In this example, it is determined that the diameter of the stem at cutting positions 403b and 403c is less than the cutting capacity of the top saw 11. Only cutting position 403a requires cutting using the main saw 10. Starting from the same position as the example discussed above, the stem 400 would be driven 10 from a position in which the top saw 11 was substantially aligned with the SED to a position in which the top saw 11 aligned with cutting position 403c, and the waste portion 402 cut. The stem would then be driven to align the top saw 10 with cutting position 403b, and log 401c cut. The stem would then be driven to align the main saw 11 with cutting position 403a, and logs 401a and 401b cut. 15 The total distance travelled (d) may be determined by: d = 0.1m + 4.0m + (4.5m - X) = 8.6m - X. Using the present invention, in this example the harvester travels 17.5m (plus the distance between saws) less than previously required. Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be 20 appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. 11)

Claims (32)

1. A device for use in processing a length of material using a material-working device including a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity, the device including: at least one processor configured to: receive data relating to the length of the length of material and the diameter of the length of material at a plurality of points along its length; set at least one cutting position along the length of the length of material based on at least the length of the length of material; determine the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position using at least the data relating to the diameter of the length of material at the plurality of points along its length; and select either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in cutting the length of material at the cutting position based at least in part on the cutting capacity of each cutting device and the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein setting the at least one cutting position includes receiving a manual input from an operator.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein setting the cutting position includes the processor determining the cutting position along the length of the length of material using at least the data relating to the length of the length of material.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to determine a plurality of cutting positions along the length of the length of material.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of cutting positions are determined as part of a value optimisation process for the length of material.

6. A device as claimed in either claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the cutting positions are determined such that an end of the length of material having a larger diameter is prioritised over the other end.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the processor is configured to determine the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein determining the order in which the cutting James & Wells Ref: 134129AU positions are to be cut is based at least in part on distance the material-working device would be required to travel relative to the length of material.

9. A device as claimed in either claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut is determined based in part on a requirement that the length of material remain held by the material-working device until a final cutting position has been cut.

10. A system for processing a length of material, including: a material-working device, including: a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity; a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity; a drive mechanism configured to drive the length of material relative to the material-working device; at least one distance measuring device; at least one diameter measuring device; and at least one processor configured to: receive data relating to the length of the length of material from the distance measuring device; receive data relating to the diameter of the length of material at a plurality of points along its length from the diameter measuring device; set at least one cutting position along the length of the length of material based on at least the length of the length of material; determine the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position using at least the data relating to the diameter of the length of material at the plurality of points along its length; and select either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in cutting the length of material at the cutting position based at least in part on the cutting capacity of each cutting device and the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein setting the at least one cutting position includes receiving a manual input from an operator.

12. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein setting the cutting position includes the processor determining the cutting position along the length of the length of material using at I A James & Wells Ref: 134129AU least the data relating to the length of the length of material.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to determine a plurality of cutting positions along the length of the length of material.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the plurality of cutting positions are determined as part of a value optimisation process for the length of material.

15. A system as claimed in either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the cutting positions are determined such that an end of the length of material having a larger diameter is prioritised over the other end.

16. A system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the processor is configured to determine the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein determining the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut is based at least in part on distance the material-working device would be required to travel relative to the length of material.

18. A system as claimed in either claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut is determined based in part on a requirement that the length of material remain held by the material-working device until a final cutting position has been cut.

19. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein each cutting device includes at least one saw.

20. A system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the material-working device is a timber-working device.

21. A method for processing a length of material using a material-working device including a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity, including the steps of: receiving, at a processor, data relating to the length of the length of material and the diameter of the length of material at a plurality of points along its length; setting, at the processor, at least one cutting position along the length of the length of material based on at least the data relating to the length of the length of material; determining, at the processor, the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position using at least the data relating to the diameter of the length of material at the plurality of points along its length; and selecting, at the processor, either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use James & Wells Ref: 134129AU in cutting the length of material at the cutting position based at least in part on the cutting capacity of each cutting device and the diameter of the length of material at the cutting position.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein setting the at least one cutting position includes receiving a manual input from an operator.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein setting the cutting position includes determining the cutting position along the length of the length of material using at least the data relating to the length of the length of material.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein a plurality of cutting positions along the length of the length of material are determined.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the plurality of cutting positions are determined as part of a value optimisation process for the length of material.

26. A method as claimed in either claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the cutting positions are determined such that an end of the length of material having a larger diameter is prioritised over the other end.

27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the processor is configured to determine the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein determining the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut is based at least in part on distance the material-working device would be required to travel relative to the length of material.

29. A method as claimed in either claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the order in which the cutting positions are to be cut is determined based in part on a requirement that the length of material remain held by the material-working device until a final cutting position has been cut.

30. A device for use in processing a length of material using a material-working device including a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.

31. A system for processing a length of material, including a material-working device including a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device having a second cutting capacity, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.

32. A method for processing a length of material using a material-working device including a first cutting device having a first cutting capacity, and a second cutting device having a second James & Wells Ref: 134129AU cutting capacity, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings. 17